DATE=8/20/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-237409
TITLE=BORDER DRUGS(L-ONLY)
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=MIAMI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:   THE NATIONAL DRUG POLICY DIRECTOR BARRY MCCAFFREY SAYS 
THE PRINCIPLE DRUG THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES IS OVER THE 
U-S/MEXICO BORDER.  AS SCOTT ANGER REPORTS, THE DIRECTOR SAYS 
CURRENT ENFORCEMENT METHODS ARE NOT WORKING, ALLOWING DRUGS TO 
POUR INTO THE U-S AT ALARMING RATES.

TEXT:   SPEAKING AT A HISPANIC LAW ENFORCEMENT CONFERENCE IN 
MIAMI BEACH, MR.  MCCAFFREY EMPHASIZED THE NEED FOR A STRONGER 
CONTROL AT THE  U-S/MEXICO BORDER.  HE SAYS THE CURRENT 
ENFORCEMENT METHODS ALONG THE BORDER ARE NOT WORKING.

                       ///MCCAFFREY ACT///

         YOU CANNOT DETER DRUG SMUGGLING BASED ON MANUAL 
         SEARCHES, IT'S A FAILED ATTEMPT TO CONTROL DRUGS.

                          ///END ACT///

MR. MCCAFFREY SAYS FEDERAL AGENCIES STANDING GUARD AGAINST THE 
DRUG THREAT ARE OFTEN TOO SMALL AND DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT 
EQUIPMENT.  HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE AGENCIES UPGRADED.

                      ///MCCAFFREY ACT2///

         WE'VE GOT TO BUILD LAW ENFORCEMENT INSTITUTIONS WITH THE
         TECHNOLOGY, MANPOWER AND TRAINING TO DO THEIR JOBS.  
         WITHOUT WHICH, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE GOING TO SUFFER 
         FROM THIS INCREASINGLY IN THE COMING YEARS.

                         /// END ACT ///

IN ADDITION TO GUARDING THE BORDER, THE NATIONAL DRUG STRATEGY 
INCLUDES REDUCING THE DEMAND FOR ILLEGAL DRUGS AS WELL AS 
LIMITING THEIR AVAILABILITY.  NEARLY 200-MILLION DOLLARS IS BEING
SPENT ON A CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE U-S, WHERE 
SIX-PERCENT OF THE POPULATION USES ILLEGAL DRUGS.

MR. MCCAFFREY WILL MEET WITH AGENCIES ALONG THE U-S/MEXICO BORDER
NEXT WEEK TO PLAN HOW TO BALANCE DRUG PREVENTION WITH STIFF LAW 
ENFORCEMENT. (SIGNED)

NEB/SA/WDC/PT

20-Aug-98 5:55 PM EDT (2155 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.